Indiana University East Head Women’s Golf Coach Brittney Whatley speaks to the crowd as Hagerstown’s Emilee Thackrey signs with the Red Wolves.
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Emilee Thackrey was motivated by her older sister, who played golf at Indiana University East.
“I was in eighth grade when Amanda signed,” Emilee said. “I knew from that moment, I wanted to be just like my sister. I worked harder because I wasn’t as good as she was until I started working as hard as I could to get to that point.”
Thackrey arrived at the same point on Tuesday as she signed to play for the NAIA school for head coach Brittany Whatley.
“It’s close to home, which is nice,” said Thackrey, who is planning on a career in nursing. “I really enjoy being on that campus.”
“The coach is really nice,” she added. “I want to have fun. I’m very grateful that she actually contacted me.”
Thackrey, who is the daughter of James and Theresa Thackrey, qualified for the regional this season as well as earning a spot on the All-Tri-Eastern Conference squad with a third-place finish.
“Emilee has been a pleasure to coach these last six years,” Hagerstown Head Coach Mark Shafer said. “She started with me in junior high and then I got to coach her again starting her sophomore year.”
“She has improved greatly,” Shafer continued. “I look forward to watching her continue her career at IU East.”
In addition to becoming a college golfer on Tuesday, Thackrey also became a certified nursing assistant earlier in the day.